My move to 6th grade math and being involved in COETAIL coincided. It took me a while to find blogs to follow and websites that would support me and my students in math. Once I found a few key names and sites, it was like a domino effect in discovering more blogs and websites. I have been doing some sifting of my reader and bookmarks, and I’d like to share some of my favorites…for all you math geeks out there. Yes! I am sharing something. (But still not tweeting…)
Websites that are helpful to me…
Math Forum I use Math Forum regularly for our POW (Problem of the Week) work. I like how problems are divided by strands and that varying levels of difficulty are included. Sample student solutions are given along with teacher notes and links to resources. You need a paid subscription to join-our school has one that covers many teachers who access the site.
Nrich This is a great resource not only for finding challenging and enriching math problems and games, but also a place to read up on some current trends in math.
Mathtrain tv I recently found this comprehensive site that highlights student created mathcasts.
Howcast I stumbled upon this when searching for some instructional videos to help the students review skills. A WIDE range of short tutorials on everything from how to shave to how to pull off an office prank. Surprisingly, there are some well-done and entertaining videos on basic math. I find it funny that when you go to the menu to search topics, the one I need to click on to find math material is titled “Education and Money”. Hahaha.
Shmoop.com Again, another great place for how-to shorts on a range education related topics. Lessons and explanations from pre-algebra through geometry. The math related videos offer the entertainment value not found in the Khan camp.
My Favorite outside-of-COETAIL Blogs…
Mindshift My all-time favorite blog for skimming the educational news. Though articles are often short, links to further reading are given.
Dan Myer He is fast becoming the one to follow in the math world. Fascinating to watch/read about how he would/could change curriculum. I wish he would expand and include more middle school related material and ideas. (Really, elementary education needs a Dan Myer as well!)
Fawn Nguyen’s Finding Ways to Nguyen Students Over Brutally honest and fun math reading and learning. She is in the classroom and shares SO much from lesson ideas to personal experiences in the classroom. What fun it would be to spend a day in her room.
Mathematics and Multimedia While this is a quirky site to navigate (hate the adds), it is a good resource for finding math related media from technology related topics to cartoons.
teachbytes This is another tech in ed site that provides “the latest” (or it always seems so to me!)
Dan Bowdoin’s Technology Integration for Math Engagement is a great blog where the title drew me in. I really enjoy Dan’s posts, but lately the blog has been inactive. Bummer. Hope to see him restart.
Math 247 Mathcasts from 4th grade and up linked in a searchable site. Mathcasts are kind of dry, but could be a helpful resource for struggling kids.
Vi Hart She is IT in inspiring kids in math. She has funny, quirky, math/art/history videos. My kids LOVED her Hexaflexagon series. Plus, she talks like a bored but super intelligent middle schooler.
And finally for now…
Free Technology for Teachers by Richard Byrne. Don’t we all know about this one? If not, here you go!






